Venice/Mestre 1: La Porta d'Acqua (best Dish of the Year) and Moro Under Construction

By Johntalbott

La Porta d'Acqua in Venice was brought to my attention by someone and a good thing too, because even though it's a favorite of Yelp or RTA or some place, it's mighty good.

I entered in a foul mood, having schlepped thru the rain, gotten lost (only once) and was greeted like an old customer. 

I started by ordering fried anchovies and then frittura paranza and my wonderful Albanian waitguy suggested I swap the anchovies for octopus which he said was better - Wow was he right; crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, on a bed of mushed and firm chickpeas.  My second, the frittura, was partially successful - the calamari were terrific, the gambas and langoustines not so much.

With terrific bread bits, a good Primitivo wine, bottled water and coffee corrected (and lemoncello offered), the bill was 58 E.  A definite go back in two years for some pasta.